We Married in a Flash After One-Night Stand

On her phone screen appeared the handsome face of He Jinnan, dressed in simple homewear, leaning back on the sofa with a smile aimed at her.

"Have you laid down?" he asked softly, "Did you have a great time with your besties tonight?"

Xia Zhi's hair was draped loosely, tucked behind her ears, accentuating the ruffle-edged collar of her nightgown, making her look like the girl next door.

She returned the smile, "Yeah, we ate and drank, had a good time."

"Do you feel comfortable staying at her place? Do you ever have trouble sleeping in a different bed?" he asked with concern.

With a playful smile, Xia Zhi replied, "My sleep quality is really good, I can sleep well anywhere. Plus, this isn't the first time I've stayed at Shishi's place, I've long considered it my second home."

"That's good," He Jinnan said, "I'll come back after I finish up here, don't worry about me."

Xia Zhi, recalling something He Jinhong had said to her, hesitated before cautiously asking, "I just saw my brother-in-law at the movie theater; he mentioned that you went on a business trip to Di Du City."

"Oh, that's right. Initially, I was supposed to go on a business trip to Ning City, but right before boarding the plane, my brother-in-law called and asked me to visit Di Du City first. So I changed my ticket and came here, and tomorrow I'll be heading to Ning City," He Jinnan earnestly explained.

After hearing his explanation, the heaviness in Xia Zhi's heart lifted instantly.

"So, that's how it is. I was wondering, you told me you were going to Ning City, but my brother-in-law mentioned Di Du City."

He Jinnan smiled mischievously, "Were you upset? Thought I lied to you?"

"Not at all," Xia Zhi said, her voice lacking conviction.

He Jinnan didn't coddle her, piercingly unveiling her truth, "Wife, you're not being honest, your eyes have already betrayed you."

"No, they haven't," Xia Zhi covered her eyes with one hand, nervous.

On the phone, He Jinnan laughed heartily, "Alright, no more teasing, you should rest early."

"Yeah, you too," Xia Zhi lowered her hand and looked back at the man on her phone, gently saying, "Let me know before you come back, I'll come to pick you up."

He Jinnan nodded, "Goodnight."

After the call ended, Xia Zhi lay back down in bed, the doubts in her mind cleared, and the thought of him teasing her on the phone made the corners of her mouth rise into a smile she didn't even realize was there.

On the other side of the line, He Jinnan hung up and looked serious.

Zhao Zhuoyuan was sitting nearby, typing on his laptop, having overheard their entire conversation. He stopped what he was doing and asked, puzzled, "What is He Jinhong getting at?"

With an ironic smile, He Jinnan scoffed, "What else could it be? He's trying to gather information on Xia Zhi."

"Our travel plans were highly confidential, even he didn't know. He'll definitely start investigating now," Zhao Zhuoyuan said with a hint of worry, "Do you think He Jinhong might suspect something?"

"The arrangements in Shang Du were meticulous, everyone there is on our side, even if he investigates, he won't find anything wrong," He Jinnan pondered aloud, "But he'll definitely be suspicious, wondering why I didn't report my trip to him. However, from Xia Zhi's response, it seems like she didn't tell my brother-in-law that my trip was to Ning City."

Zhao Zhuoyuan said, "It was thought to be foolproof, but who would've guessed there'd be a slip-up with Xia Zhi? If she hadn't said anything, it would've been fine. If he goes to check on your schedule and sees that you went to Shang Du, that's where he'll start looking, and there will be nothing to worry about."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at He Jinnan, about to warn him to be cautious around Xia Zhi, but swallowed his words thinking that He Jinnan wasn't one to be swayed by emotions. There was no need for further advice.

"It'd be pointless to say, I have ways to deal with it," He Jinnan replied with a seemingly nonchalant confidence.

Seeing his bold assurance, Zhao Zhuoyuan felt reassured and a bit proud, "Jinnan, you really think ahead. You arranged to meet Mr. Sheng from Hong Yuan in Jiang City. So even if my brother-in-law learns from Xia Zhi that you actually went to Ning City, he would never guess you were meeting Mr. Sheng from Hong Yuan, especially since he went on a 'business trip.'"

He Jinnan hummed thoughtfully, then with a stern expression continued, "No matter what, we absolutely cannot let my older brother know about the deal we're signing with Mr. Sheng. This is my first chance to prove myself to grandpa; whether he'll take me seriously in the future depends on this. There can't be any mistakes!"

"Don't worry. On the old chairman's birthday, you'll definitely be able to offer this gift!" Zhao Zhuoyuan confidently said.

Elsewhere, in He Jinhong's study, he and his subordinates were discussing He Jinnan's business trip.

"He went to Shang Du," Zhou Nanxu said. "The company does have a project there, and he's leading the team on it."

"Right, we've been working on this project since summer and it's nearing completion," Gao Zhiming added.

Both men were He Jinhong's trusted aides in the company, his left and right hand men.

He Jinhong was resting his legs on the desk, fingers tapping idly on his thigh, his eyebrows knitted, clearly not convinced by the answer.

"It's not that simple!" He stopped tapping and told the two, "Investigate further!"

"Yes."

"Oh, and," he added, "I want a detailed background check on Xia Zhi, leave no stone unturned."

"Understood."

He Jinhong leaned back, closed his eyes for a moment of repose, and mocked with a cold laugh: My dear younger brother, I really want to see what kind of game you're playing!

Time shifted, and four or five days passed.

He Jinnan was a little unlucky; just as he was about to sign the contract with Mr. Sheng, who would have thought that Mr. Sheng would suffer a heart attack the day before the signing, and be rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, he managed to pull through.

At such a time, it didn't seem right to talk about the contract. He stayed a couple more days in Jiang City and then accompanied Mr. Sheng back to Ning City.

Mr. Sheng, in his fifties, was somewhat superstitious and felt that his illness before signing wasn't a good omen, perhaps a sign from heaven to stop this cooperation. Hence, he expressed his refusal to He Jinnan.

Despite his deep reluctance, He Jinnan forcefully suppressed his feelings and said that there was no rush for the cooperation, the priority was for him to recover as soon as possible.

Afterward, he returned with Zhao Zhuoyuan.

He returned on a Sunday and didn't notify Xia Zhi beforehand, going straight home from the airport.

The network at home had been fixed, and he made sure to remove the hidden surveillance cameras inside and outside the house while no one was around.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, he called Xia Zhi.

Last night, Ruan Shishi had been rushing a manuscript, staying up all night. With He Jinnan coming home late, feeling dejected, Xia Zhi kept her company, one working on the manuscript, the other binge-watching shows.

So by now, nearly one in the afternoon, they were still asleep.

The vibrating phone on her pillow was picked up by Xia Zhi with eyes closed, her voice husky and groggy as she asked, "Who is this?"

He Jinnan's voice came through, "Still not up? I'm back."